Northern Rivers Wildlife Carers Inc. is a not-for-profit network of trained volunteers that is licensed to rescue and rehabilitate sick, injured or orphaned wildlife for release back into the wild. This locally based independent organisation has been part of the Northern Rivers community since 1992.
Northern Rivers Wildlife Carers Inc. is a member of the NSW Wildlife Council. About us, read more…

We are excited to let you know that the 2017 NRWC Wall Calendar is now available!!! The 2017 calendar is filled with beautiful photos of threatened and vulnerable wildlife that occur in the Northern Rivers region and includes information about how you can help threatened wildlife. The calendar is an ideal Christmas gift and is available for $15 each, plus $3 postage (for up to 2 calendars). You get a […]

If you’re interested in becoming a wildlife carer, please register your interest for our next introductory training. This workshop introduces the common species of animals that come into care and why. New members will learn basic rescue methods for wallabies and kangaroos, birds, possums, echidnas and reptiles. At the end of the day you will have an understanding of NRWC’s structure and the part we play in the community. You will […]

The little bat in this photo is Fedra: she was one of the lucky bats who survived being caught on the barbed wire security fence around Byron Bay High School (BBHS). She is a Grey-headed Flying-fox (listed nationally as a vulnerable species) and only just over three months old. She was the inspiration to approach both BBHS Principal Peter, and Norm from the National Parks & Wildlife Service Office at […]

Story by Rowan Wigmore Kmart’s website says that they make “Low prices irresistible”. They certainly had something irresistible for a young male magpie! Mr Mags entered the store on Sunday 12th of July and had no intention of leaving. He had explored all of the departments and much to the annoyance of the staff and manager, left calling cards on some of the merchandise and attempts by the staff to […]

We have decided to start publishing our newsletter online. We hope you enjoy the stories published in here. Thanks to our newsletter editor Rowan, who is continuing in his role as editor of Wildlife News which he has now done for 10 years. Click on the link below. Sept-Oct2015(136)WebEd

It’s summertime and nothing says summer more than a tree in your backyard laden with fruit, particularly mangoes. But what do you do if someone, or something, is beating you to that delicious ripe fruit? Many are happy to share their fruit with local wildlife, but for people who really want to protect their crop there are some wildlife friendly solutions. The easiest solution is to pick your fruit early […]

It’s hard to ignore that local Flying Foxes have been having a tough time lately. Last month heat wave conditions killed thousands of Flying Foxes at Casino, leaving hundreds of young orphaned. The high temperatures experienced so early in the Flying Foxes breeding season, meant that many females were nursing very young babies when they died. The emergency response has kept carers from Northern Rivers Wildlife Carers, WIRES and surrounding […]

The Noisy Miner isn’t one of the most appreciated birds in our gardens, but it deserves to be up there with the rest of them, they are very intelligent & family orientated. This little guy was having trouble staying in his nest which was also a bit close to the Ballina Rd, so I decided to bring him home & introduce him to […]

A disease that robs lorikeets of their ability to fly, has again surfaced in our region. Although the disease is not uncommon, the Northern Rivers Wildlife Carers said the sudden increase in lorikeets presenting with Beak and Feather Disease was unexpected and worrying. Beak and Feather Disease is a virus found in both wild and pet parrots that affects the growth and development of their feathers and beak. The disease […]

Once again I have been able to raise lots of little figbirds – and now have a large aviary at our new home in Brunswick Heads, and I can release them into the local population of ‘brunny figgies’. I have had so many – numbers will be somewhere – but the first little figbird came into my care on the 2nd November 2013 and have had a constant stream of […]

Story by: Rowan Wigmore Have you ever felt helpless not knowing what to do after coming across injured or orphaned native wildlife? All too often help comes too late, with numerous calls made to the wrong organisation, wasting many people’s time and endangering animals’ lives. Wildlife Rescue App, a free mobile phone application – the first of its kind in Australia – aims to empower people by putting them in […]

Published in Wildlife News September 2012 By: Paul Cheeseman Late one Sunday afternoon, a mother and daughter were returning home to their Coorabell farm. Along the way, on the Caniaba Road, they noticed a wood duck, injured and unmoving. They paused in their journey to gather the bird, wrap it in the daughter’s coat and phone WIRES for help. WIRES could not find a rescuer and passed the job to […]

Story & photos by Cheryl When release day comes round I always have a great feeling of apprehension. Are they ready? Have I done all I can to prepare them for life in the wild? Will they survive out there? Once they are out though, and you see them flying, hopping or climbing about, it’s a great feeling as they enjoy all their new experiences. We hope that all our […]

This winter, the Northern Rivers Wildlife Carers are urging all motorists to keep a look out for roaming echidnas. Winter is their breeding season, and it’s this time of year when they’ll be regularly seen trying to cross roads in search of a mate. Echidnas are rarely seen any other time of year. They don’t cope well with warmer weather and spend most of spring and summer, sheltering from the […]

The few millimetres of rain we have received in recent weeks, has been enough to encourage many of the Shire’s native trees to flower. These trees are an important source of food for the local lorikeet population, providing them with both nectar and pollen. This area is home to two species of lorikeet: the Rainbow Lorikeet and the Scaly-Breasted Lorikeet. Rainbow Lorikeets are brightly coloured birds with a brilliant blue […]

Do people ever have the right to wage war against another species? In the state of Queensland, vulnerable flying foxes are under assault. Threatened even in their maternity colonies – where the pups are born and raised with care to flying age –these vegetarian native mega bats are now being pushed towards extinction. Flying foxes are mammals and their incredible maternal instincts bind mothers and their offspring closely together. Mothers […]

A roaming pet cat was to blame for the death of an adult Squirrel Glider. Unfortunately, it’s a regular occurrence for wildlife carers to rescue native animals that have been attacked by domestic pets. Often their injuries are so severe that they do not survive, as was the case for the rescued Squirrel Glider, which is a threatened species in NSW. The Australian Veterinary Association have estimated that domestic cats […]

Look out for injured wildlife after summer storms! Now that the warmer months are upon us, it’s the start of the summer storm season. Each summer, thunderstorms lash the Northern Rivers. But it’s not just humans who are badly affected by storm damage; wildlife can also lose their homes, have problems finding food or be injured by hail and falling trees. Storms with hail and strong wind can strip trees […]

Adapted from an article written by Chrisy Clay for the Ballina Shire Advocate. The social networking site, Facebook, has shown its value to local wildlife by helping to identify a badly injured echidna in need of aid. Last month a Northern Rivers Wildlife Carers’(NRWC) Facebook follower sent the organisation some photos of a young echidna they were seeing regularly in their backyard. The echidna was unconcerned by the family’s attention […]

Tim Pearson dedicates his time to researching one of Australia’s great unsung ecological heroes – the Flying Fox. In this touching and illuminating talk, Tim argues that we should give them superstar status, and care more about these creatures and the vital work they do. It’s a very informative and entertaining presentation, make sure you watch it all the way through. You can watch it by clicking on the link […]